Library Board

WHIT&flSH, communJT¥' - - LIBRARY - - WHITEFISH COMMUNITY LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES MINUTES OF MEETING JANUARY 27, 2021 WHITEFISH COMMUNITY LIBRARY 9 SPOKANE AVE WHITEFISH, MT Trustees Present (via ZOOM) Anne Shaw Moran, Chair; Sarah Ericson, Vice Chair/Tamarack Federation Representative; Trevor Gonser, Treasurer; Richard Hildner, Trustee; Deb Bond, Trustee; Jessica Tubbs, Trustee-in-Training Others Present: Library Director Joey Kositzky, Secretary; City Attorney Angela Jacobs 1) CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:04 2) COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC None Chair Moran suspended the agenda to move to Trustee Orientation. 4) OLD BUSINESS c) Trustee Orientation Chair Moran introduced City Attorney Jacobs who explained the City of Whitefish Conflict of Interest Policy. Page 2 Page 2 Board of Trustees Minutes January 27, 2021 Jacobs also reviewed the legal conflict of interest of City employees and/or their representatives owning a business and seeking financial benefit, how and when it is appropriate to abstain and/or recuse oneself so as not influence other board members when one has a conflict, when abstaining from voting is not appropriate and cautioned against accepting gifts above the City's acceptable value (currently $50). Chair Moran gave a brief overview of orientation elements, including: 1) the library chain of command, noting that library staff and Trustees should strive to always maintain a close, collaborative relationship with City administration , per Montana statute , the Director reports to the Trustees 2) Employee grievances thus terminates-with the Trustees rather than the City Council. She and Attorney Jacobs reminded the Trustees that Attorney Jacobs is always available for clarification. 3) She explained the history of the annual transfer of ($34K) from the City to the library for facility management and expenses. 4) Moran and Kositzky then reviewed relationships between the Whitefish Community Library (WCL) and State entities, Director Kositzky explaining how WCL partners with several local non-profits and schools .) It was noted that based on an arrangement initiated in the 1950s, the WCL forwards used book sale money to WLA and that, while the WCL can accept donations, most are run through the WLA. 5) Moran recounted the WCL's reputation at the City for good fiscal management (thanks primarily to Library Director's frugality) and underscored the importance of future expansion and/or budget additions being based on sustainability and appropriateness. 6) She explained how the Trustees arrived at their Guiding Principles and reviewed same. 7) WCL and Whitefish Library Association (WLA) endowment history were then reviewed; Kositzky will provide copies of relevant agreements to the Trustees . 8) Moran then reviewed the City's history regarding the decision to break with the Flathead County Library System and re-institute a municipal library. a) Approve January 13, 2021 Trustees' Minutes Approval of the January 13, 2021 Trustees' Minutes was deferred to the February 10, 2021 meeting . b) COVID-19 Update Page 3 Page 3 Board of Trustees Minutes January 27, 2021 available for patron checkout, she and her staff are comfortable maintaining the status quo. The Trustees agreed that no action would be taken at this time to change the current Covid-19 plan and that computer use would remain unavailable until further notice. They asked that their appreciation be extended to the staff for their commitment and the excellent job they are doing to navigate through the pandemic. 3) Director's Report Director Kositzky presented her report. 5) NEW BUSINESS a) Next Meeting Date The next meeting of the Board of Trustees will be February 10, 2021 at 7pm via ZOOM. 6) ADJOURNMENT Trustee Bond made a motion to adjourn the meeting . Trustee Ericson seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:45 pm . Respectf~zly s I, mitted: \ . , .J-. I 1, . I /)..J}j/ /( .I ,f 7, Diredtoli , Joey Ko?it1-~ , 7 , Secretary Date ~ ~ z i ) L~ d /11 ) ; ;i__ J I ; Anne Shaw Moran, Chair Date